Carpenter Ant Bait

Summary: There are many carpenter ant bait products on the market such as Maxforce Carpenter Ant Bait and Advance Carpenter Ant Bait. Proper placement and timing is key to successful ant control.

New products are always being introduced, but as of today the most efficient method of controlling carpenter ants is done by using baits. Carpenter ant baits work by sinking the population of carpenter ants in an area which reduces the possibility for the ant to enter your home or office.

Many of the available carpenter ant baits will do a fine job of controlling carpenter ants. However, none of the baits will work if the ants are not hungry for the active ingredient in the bait. For example, at various times during the year the carpenter ant prefers foods containing only protein such as in meat. Other insects, by the way, qualify as œmeat, but so does the meat sitting out on your countertop. When this happens the carpenter ant is unlikely to feed on baits like Maxforce Carpenter Ant Bait Gel because that particular bait contains a combination of protein and sugar.

Some baits are made to withstand outdoor elements of rain and heat. Advanced Carpenter Ant Bait can be applied around perimeters of buildings, as well as around the base of trees, stumps, firewood piles and other locations where carpenter ants may nest.

Niban Granular Bait is another bait the claims to hold up well outside. Niban Granular Bait will not degrade from exposure to heat or sunlight and the bait is supposed to retain its effectiveness through up to two inches of rainfall.

Since the main carpenter ant nest is often found in an old log stump within a couple hundred feet of a home, it is important to locate the nest and treat it. Having the patience to follow ants to their nest can be more tedious than watching paint dry especially because it is best done at night when the ants are most active.

There is nothing like standing outside in the dark with a flashlight when you should be inside in a nice warm bed. But, eliminating the nest will greatly reduce the risk of re-infestation and make that extra effort well worthwhile.